Has it really been that many days.....

This week has escaped me! It certainly is not because I was busy.... no, but I have been tired and lazy. I may not have been creative but I did read and watch a few things on Netflix. Oh and I did feel sorry for myself a few times. I know that I have come a long way this past year and still have a way to go. A quick morning chat with The Brother Alan and I did feel better. Did I tell you yet?
The winds really kicked up yesterday and the temp reached 115. We had the first dust storm of this monsoon season yesterday.

Not too much dust hit my area but the winds have made a real mess in the garden. There was plenty of debris in the air! It will stay that way for a few days... it is still windy today. The temp at 4 AM was 93 which meant there was little cool down during the overnight. Right now the chimes and buoy bell are calling out. 

I went for a Bone Density scan yesterday and the gal doing the test was from New Jersey so we had a good New England chat. It did not take long but I forgot to ask when the results would be sent to my doctor so I will call his office today. I had a test back in the mid 90s and it did show some deterioration. Remind me to tell you....

I must admit to not drinking enough water yesterday and I feel it today so I will be sure to stay hydrated with my water and frozen fruit added.... black raspberries, strawberries, peaches and pineapple chunks... and a slice of lemon too.  Right now I am a bit hungry so a scrambled egg and a cup of tea sounds about right. Have you heard?

The Brother Alan and Lisa will be here in September.... arriving on the 18th.... we already have a few plans thought out. I also have a few To Do things for him. So the count down is on.

Off I go...glad that we had time to chat. Thank you for your kind words and for your friendship....

A busy morning

Feels strange post at this time...later in the morning. The reason is that I was out by 6 to vacuum the pond, flush the pump, add back in the 12 gallons of water  and add the algae chemical. Of course even though I did not take a pond shower, I did spill some of the lovely green water on myself. The dust storm yesterday afternoon brought all kinds of stuff into the yard and across the garage so that was swept up before coming in for a normal shower.  Then it was make hummer food and  clean 2 of the feeders and fill them. While on this roll I cleaned the aquarium and now I am finished.....also tired. Yesterday we had strong winds and a  dust storm....

this was the dust storm looking out of my garage toward the East. Nasty stuff. I just poked out for a second. Not something you want to be in walking or driving. The winds were actually howling at times. Not sure of the size  of this one, but they can be huge and very dangerous to be caught in.
Today my word is Patient.

This was the next word to stitch and  the first word I did when Denny was admitted to the hospital.....he thought it was so fitting as did I. A simple word. He was the patient and I was being patient even though I knew it was going to take more than I had at the moment. Everyday at the hospital he would ask what I was stitching and when finished asked to see it. They were long days and I was able to usually finish a word. The crystal beads are beads he found among my many beads. They make me think quiet and gentle. We have many wind chimes that he hung both in back and in front of the house as well as indoors too. I dangled these in that fashion...they hang quietly here.
Thank you for the lovely comments regarding the Words banner. I am happy that you have been enjoying the story and planning that went into it.  Thank you also for the kind words and emails and cards. Thank you most of all for your caring friendship. Let's have a good day.

stitching finishes

Finally Red Riding Hood stitching is finished...

I had hoped to have this completed long before now, never-the-mind, it is ready for final completion. I did make changes and still not sure about the final outlook it will have. I found this calming to stitch. Thank you Isobel for a wonderful design. I also finally finished the stitching for an ornament...

It is Be Merry Angel by Giulia Punti Antichi. This is from the Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments issue of 2014. When I first saw this I wanted to make it but kept thinking "these are not Christmas colors". But finally I did gather up my supplies (32ct linen from bin) and here it is ready for completion. I know she will be lovely when completed. Yesterday w2as a crazy monsoon storm day. I was driving home from therapy when the sky turned dark and the winds were blustery. Debris and dust began to fly everywhere as I sat at the stop light. The car actually rocked with the winds and finally as I pulled into the garage, it broke loose. The dust was thick and the wind very strong. Shortly, the rain began and later last evening another rain moved in with thunder and lightening..... very interesting day! I expect today to be quiet and storm free.... I would like to spend some time reading and thinking about my finishing of the ornament. Hope your day is a quiet one...Thank yo for your kind words and for visiting with me.....enjoy the day.

There is someone lurking at me

It may only be 85 right now (6:13 am) but the humidity is at 51% so it is quite uncomfortable outside. Last night there was another dust storm...this time we did not get the dust part only winds.  Have you seen one?

This is what it looked liked crossing the southeast part of the valley.  At 3,000 feet high and miles across, they are not to be dismissed lightly. The dust is a fine powder that gets into everything.... and not easy to clean up. Although we have not driven through one, I am told it is like driving into a blizzard. The air is so still outside...
Today I opened the craft closet door to get something and ....

if she could see, she would be staring at me! Impossible now because she has no eyes... well, actually she has no face. I really should do something about her; after all she has been this way for some time.  Never know what is in this closet.... a Harry Potter closet! I have no stitching to show...a Round Robin piece I am working on, Blueberries is not completed until I get a piece of wood, and I did not work on Hummingbird Garden this morning. Today I finish my journal posting of our road trip to Arizona. Than you for the kind words and I am happy that you have enjoyed reading about it. Hope you have a nice day.

Arizona Bound

Monday July 26 2004 Journey completed

What a beautiful morning. It is sunny and very warm  for us at 103. Rhode Island does not get that high a temp during the summer months. We had a good nights sleep and are ready for our first new day. First, I must get out and clean the truck a little better. Thank goodness I had enough sheets to accommodate Sherlock being sick yesterday. I have thrown out all the sheets as we traveled yesterday and now one of our quilts. We can't believe we did it, we are actually here. It has been a long  and at times hard journey.There were a few times we all were unhappy and tired, not feeling well. But we just pushed ahead. Lessons learned on this journey? Dennis has no patience for road construction and highway detors. He thought about dumping me off a few time, so he says, but he loves me so here I am. We believe in what we are doing strongly, and that has gotten us through some rough moments. First on the agenda today is to go to the Penske dealer and remove the car carrier so we can use the car. It was very close to our new apartment so not a problem. As soon as we leave there it is on to the apartment complex. Dennis and the pooches and the truck stay outside the gated area I drive in...my first time driving here. Problem!! They cannot locate our keys. I suggest firmly they try very hard and very quickly. Lo and behold they are in our folder. What a novel idea. Along with the office gal we drive to the apartment. We will be able to park the truck right at the apartment for unloading...being right at the parking side and first floor this will be good. We noticed right away that the apartment was very warm. The pooches were restless and panting. Well, the air conditioner is not working! The maintenance guy came immediately and with adjustments it was fixed. We spent the next few hours unloading most of our belongings. We did not bring but a few pieces of furniture. It was off to the market to get some food and a few other necessities. Next stop was Target to get sheets so I could make our bed. After we all ate, pooches walked we settled down for a good nights sleep. Early the next morning was time to unwrap and take in our curio cabinet. All I could do was hope that all the glass and mirror did not break along this journey over some tough roads. Perfect...The Brother Alan did a fine job of packing. The pooches already have found their sleeping spots and are adjusting well . Tasks for the week are to shop for a sofa and chair, a dining set, and new TV. The bank is also on the list. Did I mention that we seem to have lost the box containing the pots and pans? Add that to the growing list.By the end of the week, we had settled in. We had stocked the refrigerator, the cupboards, the linen closet and unpacked all the clothing We had a sofa on order, a recliner and Cox was scheduled for internet and phone service. By the end of week two we had a sofa, recliner and cable and internet. 

The journey was an experience. Truck stops, convincing the pooches to go for walks in a new place each time, motels and lots of take out food. We are home now. A new way of life and palaces to explore. Three years in in the planning and it has finally materialized. Dennis has finally relaxed and patience returned to this quiet man. Life is good.

Thunder--lightening--and rain oh my

We actually had rain in the wee hours of this morning......around 3:30am. But as usual you would never know it by 5 am...the sun is shining and it is hot.
We recently had a huge dust storm here in Arizona....here is the link to view it -----http://youtu.be/8W4Cx44XKZ4. It was an amazing thing to witness. Luckily we are far enough that we only received the sand from the edge of it.
I do not have any stitch updates....but I will be putting the finishing touches on my Summer exchange piece and in the mail tomorrow. I want to start on Devin's burp bibs......and I have to order one of the items on her registry list.
My morning is slipping away from me...so I will talk with you tomorrow...thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great day.